Irish Language Translation Interpreting & Professional Language Skills

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Irish Language Translation Interpreting & Professional Language Skills

Summary

We offer a comprehensive range of programmes in Irish in both part-time and full-time mode at a number of centres which serve a diverse body of students. Irish language provision and practice amongst staff and students reflects the University's strong commitment to cultural and linguistic diversity within Northern Ireland.

Our Irish programmes play a vital role in preserving, sustaining and celebrating Ireland's Gaelic literary and linguistic heritage as well as serving the demands of the Irish language sector within the local and international job market.

At a personal level our programmes fulfil the needs of individuals who wish to acquire the necessary competence to fully participate in the Irish language community as confident and independent users of the language.

About

This course is ideal for those who have already attained a high level of proficiency in spoken and written Irish and who wish to pursue a full-time or part-time career in Translation/ Interpretation, although this course would also be suitable for anyone working in the Irish Language sector who wishes to improve their language skills.

Teaching and learning assessment

The learning outcomes listed above will be achieved through a variety of methods – lectures, webinars and practicals that include workshops and seminar discussions, directed reading, and dissertation supervision. In order to rationalise teaching while offering the maximum of flexibility, classes include a) core lectures on theory and b) practicals devoted to the language combinations. Linguistic capacity will be developed through translation and interpreting exercises in various specialised fields based on a range of source-language materials that include problem cases relating to syntax, lexis and sociolinguistic variations. Student-led learning and peer assessment (notably via collective translation tasks using wikis) will foster team work and independent and reflective learning.

The Computer Laboratory in Magee will be used to enhance student knowledge of translator tools and software.

Entry requirements

Entry Requirements

Applicants must hold a degree with Irish as the main component with at least 2:2 Honours standard or equivalent or demonstrate their ability to undertake the course through the accreditation of prior experiential learning. Students without Irish as the main component of their degree are expected to have reached a minimum standard equivalent to level B2 on the Common European Framework for Languages and may be required to undertake a pre-entry interview and/or written tests to verify their degree-level Irish language proficiency. Applicants must also provide evidence of competence in written or spoken English (GCSE grade C or equivalent).

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Exemptions and transferability

Those applicants seeking entry with advanced standing, (eg. transfer from another institution) will be considered on an individual basis.

Duration

Attendance

This course is offerred on a full-time basis (1 calendar year).

This course is offered on a part-time basis (2 years) with teaching occurring in blocks and online.

Careers or further progression

Career options

It is estimated that 700 new jobs will be created within the EU in Irish translation/interpretation over the next 5-6 years. This exciting new MA programme is in response to the need for translators, editors and lexicographers to work in both domestic and European institutions, and will equip students with advanced language skills currently in demand in the Irish Language sector and in the European Union.

Irish, graduates from this programme will have career prospects in translation/interpretation for business and communications, in the legal sector, as well as in translation for the public sector and in tourism, and in the ever growing fields of both lexicography and language planning, in particular with 'Foclóir Gaeilge/Béarla an Fhorais.'